What should you look for when buying pre-cooked polenta for slicing, grilling or frying?
Check the package for a short ingredient list, storage directions before and after opening, and the serving size and servings per roll. Then check for any certification you need, such as gluten free, and the best-by date. For slicing, grilling and frying, choose a firm roll that holds a 3/4-inch slice, such as San Gennaro's 18 oz pre-cooked polenta.
What should the ingredient list on pre-cooked polenta say?
Polenta is corn cooked in water with salt, and a good pre-cooked roll stays close to that. Flavored versions add ingredients you can name, such as garlic, basil or sun-dried tomatoes. San Gennaro's Traditional Italian is made from water, corn, salt and tartaric acid. Read any list the same way: short, plain and easy to understand. See which ingredients to check.
Where is pre-cooked polenta stored, in the store and at home?
Some pre-cooked polenta sits on a dry shelf and some sits in a cooler, and the label tells you which. San Gennaro polenta keeps in the pantry until you open it. After opening, refrigerate it and use it within 5 to 7 days. Do not freeze it: freezing draws water out of the corn and leaves it crumbly.
Which certifications are worth checking on polenta?
A printed mark from an outside organization carries more weight than a word on the front. Look for a Certified Gluten Free mark if you avoid gluten, the Non-GMO Project Verified mark if that matters to you, and a kosher mark if you keep kosher. San Gennaro polenta carries the Non-GMO Project Verified mark. San Gennaro Foods no longer claims kosher or gluten-free certification. Some older packages still show those marks.
Buy a product as organic only if its own label says certified organic.
How much pre-cooked polenta should I buy?
Check the servings per roll. An 18 oz San Gennaro roll holds about 4 servings of three half-inch slices, or about 12 slices. The 16 oz Butternut roll holds about 3 servings. Plan one 18 oz roll for a side dish for four people, and more if polenta is the base of the meal. The FAQ explains how many rolls a group needs.
Which flavor should I use for grilling or frying?
San Gennaro's Traditional Italian, Basil & Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato flavors slice, grill, bake, pan-fry and air-fry the same way. Traditional Italian is the plain base for sauces and toppings. Basil & Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato bring their own seasoning, so they work on their own as a side or an appetizer. Butternut pan-fries and bakes. For grilling or air-frying, choose one of the other three flavors.
Where can I buy San Gennaro pre-cooked polenta?
Search the store finder by zip code, and call ahead, since stock varies by store. If no store near you carries San Gennaro polenta, order direct from the polenta.net shop. Shipping is included on every online order. Unopened rolls keep in the pantry until the best-by date, so a pack is ready when you need it.